I only recently learned of the Gemini XI mission and their use of the Agena Target Vehicle, I was previously unaware that experimentation with creating artificial gravity in space had taken place all the way back in 1966.
The mission involved 2 vehicles, the Gemini XI capsule and the Agena target vehicle you see attached to the tether in the above picture, the launch took place on September 12th 1966 and the return took place on the 15th of September.
The Agena was used to experiment with docking (in preparation for the Apollo missions), they also attached a tether between the 2 spacecraft and applied thrust to create spin. This spinning motion created a small amount of artificial gravity, a global first, and the mission set the stage for the docking systems used right the way up to Apollo 16.
Ben Branch has had his work featured on CNN, Popular Mechanics, the official Smithsonian Magazine, Road & Track Magazine, the official Pinterest blog, the official eBay Motors blog, BuzzFeed, and many more.
Silodrome was founded by Ben back in 2010, in the years since the site has grown to become a world leader in the alternative and vintage motoring sector, with millions of readers around the world and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
The Seventy2 Survival System was designed with one very specific task in mind – keeping you alive for 72 hours after a major catastrophe. As the Uncharted Supply Co explains, 95% of all survival situations are resolved within 72 hours, but the first 72 hours are critical. In many respects, the Seventy2 Survival System is…
This post was written by Anton Knutsson, the founder of Swedish custom motorcycle garage Injustice Customs. When possible we like to bring you the story of a custom in the words of the people who built it to give you insight into their process and methods, and to cut out the middle man. Meet Anton…
The idea of developing a home-built kit to convert the KTM 990 Adventure into a two-wheel drive motorcycle with hub-centre steering sounds difficult enough – but somehow also managing to reduce the weight by 40 kilograms compared to the stock bike sounds borderline impossible. Despite the litany of difficulties associated with the concept, mechanical engineer…
The Chevrolet K5 Blazer first appeared in 1969 as a competitor to the wildly successful Ford Bronco and International Harvester Scout – both vehicles are now remembered as ground breaking American 4x4s that launched the modern SUV genre along with British competition in the shape of the Land Rover and Range Rover Classic. The Chevrolet…
The Biltwell Overland 2.0 Goggles are the new-and-improved version of the much loved first generation Overland goggles. The team at Biltwell have developed an all-new injection-molded polyurethane frame that’s 10% smaller than its predecessor, whilst still using the same wide-periphery, injection molded polycarbonate lens. This allows wearers more room to fit the goggles into the…
Drag-U-La is a fully-operational drag car designed by Tom Daniel and built by George Barris and his team in 1964. It was restored in more recent years to fulfill the wish of Al Lewis (Grandpa Munster), who wanted to see the car one last time before he passed away. The restoration was completed in time, and…
